All things animal in Southern California and beyond

Brazen sea lions and parrot theft -- an animal news roundup

October 14, 2008 | 9:54
am

-- Thousands of pet owners whose dogs and cats died after eating pet food contaminated with melamine may be close to reaching a $32-million settlement.

-- Brazen sea lions are commandeering boat landings in Port San Luis near Avila Beach, Calif., piling onto boats, sinking them and even pooping on the vessels. The creature at right, however, was spotted staking a claim to a boat (fittingly named "Mi Casa") in Newport Beach.

-- A man tried to steal an exotic parrot worth $1,300 from a Lake Forest, Calif., pet shop by stuffing it into his jacket. But he was caught when the brightly colored blacked-headed Caique emerged from his jacket, and customers pinned him down until sheriff's deputies arrived.